help with wheel bearings

[camarosho]

hey guys, i am new but i have been checking this site for alittle while, just decided to register.

I need a little help, i already tryed a search, I am having a weird griding noise on my 89 SHO. IT is definatly in the front cause it will slightly **** the stearing wheel when i am driving. I first thought it was brakes so i bought all new parts but when i jacked the front end off the ground and took off the wheel they seemes to be ok. I left all of the calipers off of the car and put the rim back on. I put the car in neutral, and tried to turn the wheel. The passenger side turned pretty easy and kept spinning, the driver side however would not turn hardly at all, it took alot of force to spin at all. So my original assumption of the brakes causing the grinding appeared to be false.

In your oppinions, does this sound like the wheel bearings. And if it is how in the world do i replace them, thanks everybody

 

[Mike Kopstain]

100% the wheel bearings. It's definitely the wheel bearings.

 

[camarosho]

thanks for the reply, i had a feeling, now doesanybody know how to go about replacing them, i assume you take that large bolt on the hub off but then i am lost i have never done wheel bearings before, any help is appreciated

 

[Dave Kegel]

You will have to remove the large axle nut from the end of the hub, then disconnect the ball joint from the knuckle. Once the ball joint is dosconnected, you can pivot the knuckle/strut assembly enough to slide the knuckle off the axle. Then remove the pinch bolt and slide the knuckle off the strut. Take the knuckle/hub assembly into a car parts place that will press out bearings (like a CarQuest or Napa). It should be around $50 or so for the new bearing and labor. You should replace the axle nut rather than reusing it. It's some special kind of thread locking nut that get's ruined when you remove it. Install the new nut by hand (no air tools) and torque it to 200 lbs.

Dave Kegel

<small>[ May 15, 2002, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: Dave Kegel ]</small>

 

[camarosho]

Thanks Dave, much appreciated. I dont know what i would do with out this board and www.camaroz28.com message board, thanks again

 

[smcallis]

Dave, will the hub slide right off the axle? Or do you need a wheel puller?

 

[Mike Kopstain]

The hub should pull right off the axle.

Dave have you checked out the SHOcago forum? Where are you from? I'm in Arlington Heights.

 

[MeShoHorny]

You must remove the brake caliper as well. When I did mine I had to remove the dust shield in order to press the hub out of the knuckle. It turned our to be a PITA because the shield is rivited on and I did have a rivet gun. I just used 3 bolts with locking nuts.

While your at it I would also replace the knuckle pinch bolt and the ball joint pinch bolt.

FWIW, Autozone sells the bearing, hub and retainer clip for $65....you might want to go this route in case your hub is toast.
Good luck,

 

[Dave Kegel]

Yes, I check out the SHOcago Forum on occasion. I'm from farther south, close to downtown Plainfield.

Dave Kegel
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Dave have you checked out the SHOcago forum? Where are you from? I'm in Arlington Heights.